Reintegration of Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone from 2002 to 2021

The use of child soldiers in West Africa has been a longstanding problem, particularly in countries affected by conflict and political instability. Children as young as 7 years old have been recruited into armed groups and used to carry out a range of activities, including combat, intelligence gathering, and forced labor. Sierra Leone is one of the West African states that faced a decade-long civil war. The use of child soldiers was a common problem in Sierra Leone's civil war, and this brought the need for a reintegration process. The objective of this research was to examine the child-specific reintegration program proposed by the Lomé Peace Agreement of 1999. The research further examined the challenges faced in the reintegration program of the child soldiers and how the child-specific reintegration program impacted the former child soldiers. The research also delves into psychological trauma and how the reintegration process catered to this. It also examined the importance of education and vocational training in providing these children with the skills and resources necessary to rebuild their lives. Based on the study's objectives, it is apparent that the implementation of the child-specific reintegration program in Sierra Leone majorly focused on education opportunities, providing psychological and emotional healing, economic opportunities and family reunification. The study found that through the child specific reintegration program, the former child soldiers were able to enroll in both formal education and vocational training. Through interim care centers, they were able to go through counselling to tackle the psychological and emotional traumas experienced during the war. The study recommends that during the child-specific reintegration process, children should be put in target groups to allow for a relevant and cost-effective approach to the reintegration program. Overall, the research emphasizes the need for a child-specific approach that addresses the unique needs of each child soldier and ensures their successful reintegration into society.